Wellcon Inc. must pay a $2 million fine after the death of an inmate

SALT LAKE CITY — After an inmate died in the Salt Lake County Jail in November 2013, a jury on Tuesday fined prison contractor Wellcon Inc. $2 million.

According to a lawsuit filed in Utah’s 3rd District Court, Jeremy Aus died after being taken to the Salt Lake County Jail and denied necessary medications, which led to withdrawal symptoms and ultimately his death.

“Jeremy suffered needlessly from benzodiazepine withdrawal. The prescription was not issued to him simply because he was accused of a crime,” said Co-Lead Counsel Emily S. Madden.

Aus was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on November 6, 2013 and “had been taking Clonazepam on a daily basis for over ten years.”

According to the National Institute of Health, clonazepam is a benzodiazepine variant used to treat acute panic and anxiety disorders and requires a specific withdrawal process to prevent seizures and other side effects.

The lawsuit alleges that a Wellcon employee knew about Aus’s use of and dependence on clonazepam, but “abruptly and dangerously discontinued Aus’s prescription.” It goes on to say that both the employee and Wellcon had previously discontinued similar medications, such as clonazepam, again without reducing the dosage.

On Nov. 8, 2013, Aus informed Wellcon through prison staff of his clonazepam use history and also advised that he needed to continue taking his prescription, the lawsuit states. After Wellcon refused to renew his prescription, Aus asked Wellcon for clonazepam and complained of anxiety, the document states.

Eight days later, a Salt Lake County Jail officer alerted medical personnel to evaluate Aus, who may have been having a seizure. Aus’ cellmate reported witnessing between four and six of Aus’s seizures. Later that night, at 10:05 p.m., Aus was pronounced dead after being found unresponsive, according to the indictment.

After a trial, a jury found a Wellcon employee liable for Aus’s death and awarded him $2 million in compensation.

“We hope that this ruling reminds correctional facilities of their obligation to provide appropriate care to inmates,” Madden said.